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“I got the number,” Atom calls out as he walks over to us.

I stand from the bench seat, and Gina moves closer. I take stock that even before now, she’s become a silent protector since it came out who I was to the family.

I might be naïve, but I want to trust her. Atom might not, since he seems to always be watching her. And when he’s around, I let my guard down, knowing he’ll protect me. He’s proven as much so far.

Guess you trust him too. That much is obvious, but the sudden realization that I’ve trusted him for far longer than we’ve been in California startles me. I think a part of me always has. Which made it so hard for me to like him at the beginning of this. I trusted him, and I felt as if I was being kept by him. I was at war with myself, and I had no clue that was my issue till now.

He hands me his phone but doesn’t let it go. “You sure about this?”

“No,” I answer honestly.

“Let’s take it in the house,” Gina suggests, and Atom nods in agreement before turning and heading back into the house with a hand at my back, guiding me in with them.

Vinny left about an hour ago for a meeting. A few of his men stayed on the perimeter of the building, but I would feel better being inside a room with no listening ears to hear what I’m about to say. Something about talking to the head of the Devils Damned feels like a secret all on its own.

Once inside the tearoom, I don’t let my nerves get to me any longer and press the Call button the second the doors close behind me.

“Who’s this?” Psy answers.

“It’s Natalie.” There’s no response from him, but the call’s still connected, so I guess that’s a blessing. “Atom’s old lady,” I say as I look at Atom.

“What do you want?” Psy asks, and I pull the phone away from my ear to put it on speaker.

“I have a proposal for you.”

“Ain’t interested.”

I speak quickly to avoid him hanging up. “Even if it gets you your sister’s body?”

Another silence.

“Psy… you still there?”

“Where is she?” he growls, and I swear I feel it in my bones. I look at Atom, who just nods in encouragement, and I swallow my fear.

“I’ll tell you. But first, I need you to agree to something.”

“What is it?”

“An alliance.”

“With who?”

I lick my lips. Here goes nothing. “Me.”

Another pause, shorter this time. “You going against the Hounds?”

Is that interest I hear in his voice?

“No, they’re in with me too. I’m… I’m the granddaughter of Takahashi-san, head of a Yakuza family. I’m claiming my role as the head of the family and want you by my side.”

“Ha. Funny. What makes you think a little girl like you can take over a Yakuza family? Last I checked, you ain’t the natural-blood type that they prefer for that shit.”

“Preference or not, I’m the only one carrying the bloodline. I’m the sole heir to the rights of the Takahashi businesses.” I’ve said this a few times, more or less, and each time I feel a part of me locking into place. A feeling of right, even if I don’t have a clue on what I’m doing. Not really.

“You side with me, and I’ll give you your sister.” I say it clearly so no one can mistake what I want.

“You won’t give me my sister unless I say yes, is that it? Fuck off.”